Suture-bridge.



J. B. GHAMBERS SUTURB BRIDGE.

APPLICATION FILED FEB, 27. 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 PATENTED. MAR. 13, 190.6.

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K692215 64 PATENTED'MAR.1V3, 1906.:

J. E. CHAMBERS. SUTURE BRIDGE.

Arrmourou FILED FEB.27, 1905.

2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.-

To all whom it may concern.-

- 6 is a top plan view of my invention.

' Umrnn srAr s PATENT OFFICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented' March 13,- 1906.

Application filed February 2'7, 1905. Serial No. 247,628.

Be it known that I, JOSEPH E. CHAMBERS, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of the city of St. Louis, Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Suture-Bridges, of which the following is a specification containing a full, clear, and exact description, reference being had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part hereof.

My invention relates to improvements in suture-bridges and it consists of the novel features herein shown, described, and claimed.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows my invention applied to an abdominal wound. Fig.2 illustrates a cross-section of an abdominal wound about to be closed. Fig. 3 illustrates the deep suture as it is usually placed'ready to close the WO11I1(l.' Fig. 4 illustrates the Wound closed by my improved suture. Fig. 5 illustrates hoW my improved invention holds the suture in a triangular shape. Fig. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal mid-section. Fig. 8 is a perspective view of my invention. Fig. 9 is a. cross-sectional .vieW of the old form of closing an abdominal Wound.

The object of my invention is to revent the torture of cutting threads, stitc es, abscesses, cross-scars, and auto-infection.

Referring to the drawings, 1 indicates the skin layer, 2 the fatty substances, and 3'the muscular layer. In the operation of closing the wound the suture or stitch thread 4 is passed through these three layers, as illustrated in Fig. 3, and according to the old form of suture the wound is closed as illustrated in Fig. 9 and the skin is so drawn together that a trough 5 is formed. According to the old form into this trough the perspiration and skin excrementflow, and it cannot flow out, for the patient must lie on the back until the wound is healed. This trough becomes a breedingground of infection. The

stitches cutting their way through the skin from the sides addtheir discharge to the filth of excrement, thus increasing the discomfort and danger. The salty perspiration, mixed with the filth held in this trough by force of gravity, pours into the channels cut by the threads, saturates them, and produces the annoying characteristic stitch pain. This old form of suture, which causes an inversion in the trough on the exterior surface, forms a knuckle or ridge on the inner surface of the skin and the t abdominal Wall, which adds increased pressure and danger to the wounds in the cavity.

By referring to Fig. 4, wherein I employ my invention, it will be seen that when the wound is closed by the use of my suture-bridge the skin layer 1 is brought into apposition Without inversion and lifted above the normal surface, forming a ridge, which causes the perspiration and skin secretions to flow away from the wound and lifts the muscular abdominal walls away from the Wounded sensitive viscera and converts an otherwise circular (as in the old form of suture) into a trian 'ular stitch, as illustrated in Fig. 5. Itwill e further noted by referring to Fig. 4 that the a ex 6 of the triangular suture 7 lifts the ab ominal muscles ofl'the Wounded peritoneum and exerts a greater force on the muscular section of the wall than elsewhere, and thereby removing. danger of hernias.

The suture-bridge 8 consists of a central archportion 9, with'a depression 10 formed in said arch portion, rounded terminal portion 11, and notches 12 formed in said rounded portions, and by referring to Fi 4 it will be seen in applying my suture-bri ge to the wound that the arch portion 9 is placed over the incision, and the suture or stitch thread 7 is located in the notches 12 and the depression 10 when the suture is tied, and When the suture has closed the wound and the suturebridge applied and the suture tied the suturebridge and stitch lift the skin surface into the arch portion of the bridge, thereby forming a ridge which causes the perspiration and excrement to flow away from the wound. The thread resting in the notches 12 prevents the thread from'cutting into the skin,

and the brid e being located between the ead prevents cross-scars. By the use of my invention the Wound margins are united evenly and firmly without inversion anywhere. v The object of the depression 10 and notches 12 is to prevent the surface or stitch thread from being dislocated from the bridge.

-- It will be seen by the foregoing that by use of my improved suture-bridge the stitch or suture is held in triangular form as distinguished from the old, circular form of suture illustrated in Fi 9. 1

, Having fully described my invention, what I claim is 1. A suture-bridge, constructed of a single piece of material having a central arched p orformed in the top surface of the arched portion, and being provided With upturned ends, tion substantially as specified. and there being a longitudinallyextending In testimony whereof I have signed my groove formed in the top surface of the arched name to this specification in presence of two 5 portion; substfintially as specified. f t subscribing witnesses.

2. Asutureridge constructed 0 asin le piece of material hairing an arched cent ial JOSEPH CHAMBERS portion and its ends being upturned and pro- Witnesses: vided with thread-receiving notches, and EDWARD E. LoNeAN,

IO there being alongitudinally-extending groove ALFRED A. EICKS. 

